Feasibility of combined optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence imaging for visualization of needle biopsy placement
Significance: Diagnosis of suspicious lung nodules requires precise collection of relevant biopsies for histopathological analysis. Using optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence imaging (OCT-AFI) to improve diagnostic yield in parts of the lung inaccessible to larger imaging methods may allow for reducing complications related to the alternative of computed tomography-guided biopsy. Aim: Feasibility of OCT-AFI combined with a commercially available lung biopsy needle was demonstrated for visualization of needle puncture sites in airways with diameters as small as 1.9 mm. Approach: A miniaturized OCT-AFI imaging stylet was developed to be inserted through an 18G biopsy needle. We present design considerations ...
